Which one would be best if you had to choose one?

Descent is a good claustrophobic shooter.
In Freespace you have much more free space :)

I like Freespace more, but it is my own opinion ;)

The Freespace series, hands down.

Are we just talking about the originals or the series?

These are totally different games. I enjoy them both.

Freespace, because it's great battleship simulator
and Descent because it's great labirynth shooter.

I would choose Descent as I prefer FPS to space sims. Descent is particularly interesting as an FPS due to the 6DOF.

Really though, you can't go wrong with either series. Both even have source ports (well not Descent3).

They are incredibly different games.

Descent is something like Doom in three dimensions. There's lots of twists and turns and secrets and enemies hiding in unexpected places.

Freespace is more of a space combat simulator with squadrons and epic battles and a plot.

If I had to pick between them, I'd say Freespace was the superior series.

Hmm...tricky, then. Very, very different. Both very good.

Descent is more...unique. I can't think of another game like it - although I'm sure someone else will come up with one. It can be quite disorientating if memory serves, but that just adds to the fun. I've not played any of them since release.

Freespace is more of your typical space combat game - but a shining example of such.

If I recall correctly, Descent played quite well without the aid of a joystick, whereas I imagine FS would be tricky. Don't know if this is a factor for you. Oddly enough, I thought about saying the same thing. Then I realised that it might have been my memory playing tricks. I thought people might point at me and laugh. "Descent like Doom?" They would say. And I would be sad.

Luckily, it would appear my memory serves me better than I thought. I seem to remember ducking around corners and strafing...

Nuts. Now I have to reinstall and play it.

Freespace purely for Freespace Open from Hard-light...

http://www.hard-light.net/

But im a hardcore Decent fan and love the deep tunnel shooters... im also a massive geek for Aquanox!

How does Descent compare to Forsaken? I know Forsaken is pretty much a clone but does it do anything better or worse than Descent?

I don't have a joystick, could I still play Freespace and enjoy it?

Sure.

I use the analogue-sticks on my gamepad to steer the ship, myself, and it works just fine.

I've heard that they're both "Descent" games.
*snicker*

That was inDescent of you to say.